News 2011: Airwaves Racing head North to accelerate Independent Championship lead

May 31st

Airwaves Racing prepares to head North to Oulton Park for this coming weekend's highly anticipated 4th round of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship. Following a long five week break, the team are looking to pick up where they left off at their last successful outing back in April which saw them secure three top six finishes including their 4th podium finish of the season so far.

An inspiring performance by Airwaves Racing driver Mat Jackson at the fast and furious South-West Thruxton circuit saw him demonstrate his superb race craft once again, delivering the goods for the team by working his way through the field to finish 6th, 5th and 2nd place respectively in each of the weekend's three races.

With the Airwaves Racing team currently leading the Independents Championship and Jackson sitting at the top of the Independent Driver Standings and in a strong second place position for the overall Championship, this week's announcement from governing body TOCA has been received with slight trepidation from within the Motorbase camp.

The announced weight reduction for the naturally-aspirated Chevrolet and BMW cars has certainly raised a few eyebrows amongst those who follow the Championship closely. For the new regulations to be enforced for Oulton Park, which is a track that is generally considered to be no more favourable to either type of car, the approaching visit to this much-loved picturesque Cheshire track looks set to deliver some high octane drama.

Airwaves Racing Team Manager Oly Collins said:

"After a very hectic April with the first three race meetings we've had a welcome break these last few weeks. Mat's been driving very well and is in a great position on the Championship and we aim to continue that form. The Airwaves Racing team has been working very hard during this break to try to move the Focus on some more and we all feel confident going into Oulton Park. Liam is improving all the time and I think Oulton Park could be the circuit where he can show everyone just how quick he can be. Both Mat and Liam tested well there in pre-season testing and I think the cars are slightly more suited to the Oulton Park layout than they were for Thruxton. It will be hard on brakes, especially with the Turbo cars which we will have to keep an eye on. TOCA have brought in some regulation changes which will help our normally aspirated rivals and should see them gain some more speed. This seems a little strange as a normally aspirated Chevy with Plato has won more races than anyone else including the last race. It will be interesting to see just how much it helps them, we will find out soon enough!"

Airwaves Racing driver Mat Jackson said:

"Oulton Park is one of my favourite circuits on the BTCC calendar and where I took my first win in the BTCC back in 2007; let's hope we can make it win number 14 on Sunday! Since our last race at Thruxton we have used the long break to reflect on our performance in the first three rounds and try to extract a little more from the car, which I think is essential going into Oulton Park since the latest TOCA rule change will see the normally aspirated car of Plato 62kg lighter than us, which around Oulton Park will really hurt us due to the rollercoaster nature of the circuit."

Airwaves Racing driver Liam Griffin said:

"After a hectic start to the season this has been quite a nice break to regroup and get things in perspective. Oulton Park is one of my favourite circuits and when combined with a growing confidence in the car and three rounds worth of BTCC experience I am hopeful that I can have a good weekend. I think the TOCA approach so far to equalisation is a sensible one as long as it does not become a case of he who shouts loudest gets his own way!"
Round 4 of the BTCC featuring races 10, 11 and 12 take place at Oulton Park on Sunday 5th June. Live coverage of Sunday's events will be shown on ITV4, itv.com and also in HD from 11.30am – 6pm; with itv.com featuring live streaming online of Saturday's qualifying session between 3.15 and 3.45pm.